Cyclic Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Slab-Column Connection Using Numerical Simulation

Nonlinear finite element (FE) simulation was employed to look into the behavior of flat slab-column connections exposed to lateral cyclic loading. The study focused on the effect of drop panel and concrete grade by taking into consideration the element size sensitivity on the response of the joint. The study considered twelve specimens for the investigation. Four concrete grades having a magnitude of 47.7, 60, 75, and 90 MPa were selected. Three element sizes of 30 mm, 40 mm, and 60 mm were undertaken to access the mesh size sensitivity of the outputs. Six specimens are with drop panels, and others are without drop panels. The concrete-damaged plasticity model has been used to model the specimens. Reduced eight noded bricks (C3D8R) and two noded trusses (T3D2) elements have been used for modeling concrete and steel, respectively. Cracking pattern, slab vertical deflection, strain distribution, ductility, load-drift ratio, cracking load capacity, yielding load capacity, and ultimate load capacity are the main outputs of the FE simulation. The study confirmed a considerable increase in load-carrying capacity and a decrease in ductility as the concrete grade increased. In another way, the load-carrying capacity and ductility were slightly increased and decreased, respectively, as the slab-column connection is provided with a drop panel. As element size decreases, the result obtained becomes more realistic.

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